Lets talk about brachytherapy

Hi LouEbelle,

I had the same treatment as you followed by Brachytherapy & it really is not as bad as you think. There are 2 different types, I was an outpatient & had 2 sessions which did not last very long & that was the end of all my treatments which I was really glad about.

Considering all the other treatment you have had I think you will find this a lot easier to deal with & just keep in mind you are almost finished & you Can do this, you have already come so far !

Love & Hugs  xx

Hi LouEbelle, I am still waiting to hear about my brachytherapy.  My nurse told me the radiologist will be getting in touch in the next two weeks to discuss my treatment.  The way she put it, the first session will take a couple of hours of lying about waiting as they have to figure out the right place and will involve a ct scan ( I've had that before and it's not scary at all). The next sessions following that will be much shorter.  

I too have read the leaflet and I am in those hills with you!!  I really don't want anyone touching down there after all that it's been through.  I am  filled with dread!  I had keyhole surgery, and everything was taken out via the vagina, so the thought of putting anything in there is really scary.  Also the possible after effects aren't too thrilling either.  But they always have to paint the worst case scenario don't they.  Wonder if we'll glow in the dark, lol.xx

The treatment itself is fine. Doesn’t take long and isn’t painful or uncomfortable. I did feel very fatigued for a long time afterwards though. Good luck x

Thanks for the reassuring words Galanthopile.  Still feeling a bit anxious about it tho ️

Ladies thankyou for your replies, horror stories aside l just want to get this over and done. I have 2 artificial hips and have spoken to my orthopaedic surgeon about the affects of radiotherapy on the pelvis. He said not to worry, which is obviously a relief.

Incontinence is becoming an issue again since chemo and l worry that after affects of radiotherapy could make it permanent. I suffered from it before when on antidepressants. I was prescribed medicine to counteract it but came off it when l learnt thst the combination could lead to dementia. Now with what must be the after affects of the chemo, exhaustion and chemo brain l would be happier  on antidepressants (and a lot easier to live with) but l am reluctant to take them for reasons just stated, l have tried numerous types. Unfortunately the one that made me feel a lot better mentally gave the worst physical side affects. 

Hi LouEbelle,

I had a lot of bladder problems right after my hysterectomy. Initially I could not feel when I needed the loo, so had to time it! I read that you had to retrain your bladder, which I tried to do, by going to the loo every 2 hours, then lengthening the time. 3 days after leaving hospital I had a night where i needed the loo every few hours, but only passed a thimbleful. Another time I had a bath, and when I stood up urine poured out of me uncontrollably. I guessed the heat had relaxed the muscles, so put a warm facecloth over my bladder when I went to the loo. This helped me to empty the bladder. I was back at the hospital after 4 days out to have all this checked, as I was petrified. They said it would settle down with time and it did. I think I was badly bruised.

A kind nurse helped me in hospital by telling me to lift one leg up with my arms, then the other, and that squeezes the urine out! The bladder scanner showed I wasn't emptying my bladder.

Maybe some of these tips might help you. As you have only just finished chemo might it settle down? It takes a while to get over all this treatment.   XXXXXXX  

NannyAnny, it is so kind and so helpful of you to get back to me so quickly and l will try your tips. 

The best thing is that since I wrote that, l have be been able to find the words to descibe to my partner how l feel about this latest  loss of control  and in response he was much more supportive. Like you he said it was early days yet and he doesn't want me to go back on antidepressants (like l thought he would, because l must be horrible to live with) 

So that's two good things l have learnt today

Hi NannyAnny

Interesting to read your post. I'm only 10 days post op but have noticed my bladder is not co-operating fully, go to pee, then almost immediately have a follow through!

I'll try the leg lift and then the other to squeeze out.

Annoyingly can't utilise the Always voucher which dropped through my door at the beginning of the month which provided free pants, pads and panty liners as I'm still self isolating and our local shops are too small to have the full stock - problem living in rural Lincolnshire !!

Bxx

Hi Mrs BJH,

I have learnt to not be hasty! I was so used to bobbing up and down quickly, but even 3 years later I find I'm better if I slow down and sit awhile!!! It often takes ages especially first thing in the morning, but I'm guessing part of that is age!!! As long as it keeps working, I don't care, which is what worried me initially!!

My daughter cheered me up last year. She had to have a bladder function test (can't remember why), and was told her bladder wasn't emptied !  And she is 30 years younger than me!!!   xxxx